Australian advance begins

The Australian advance from Imita was instigated by the 25th Brigade under the command of Brigadier Ken Eather. On 28th September 1942 the 25th Brigade moved forward from Imita Ridge to find the Japanese had withdrawn from their positions on Ioribaiwa Ridge.

The subsequent pursuit of the withdrawing Japanese was slow and cautious; the Brigade continued to advance forward and had little contact with the Japanese for two weeks.

The perusing Australian forces had no way of knowing that the Japanese 17th Army Commander in Rabaul had instigated the orders to withdrawal and had ordered General Horri to withdrawal back as far as Templeton’s Crossing.

The pursuing Australians tentatively moved forward expecting an ambush at every bend in the track. A slow and tedious journey back along the Kokoda track was in store.